Chapel of the Cross Children & Family Ministry

On Good Shepherd Sunday, we gathered at a masked distance in hula hoop pods. We were sheep and little lambs, in a contemporary fold. We sang and we prayed. The wind blew and the birds sang. We Passed the Peace with waves and after we recessed, we climbed trees. (Thanks to Nick Jaeger for most of the photos.)

We were so excited to see people in person when we worshiped outdoors and masked yesterday. We celebrated Good Shepherd Sunday in the courtyard and it felt a little like being in a sheepfold. We sang “Jesus, Tender Shepherd” (of course!) but we also sang “Bah, Bah, Black Sheep” – as a round.

The fourth Sunday of the Easter Season is called Good Shepherd Sunday because we read the Gospel passage in which Jesus calls himself “the Good Shepherd.” Today in Children’s Chapel, Silas and his mom, Sarah, help us understand what Jesus meant. If you have faith-at-home supplies, you can open the green egg. Maybe you want to make a green pasture for your sheep? Or maybe you want to draw a shepherd.

Today is Earth Day. What better song is there than All Things Bright and Beautiful? If we care for the earth as God intended, the earth will remain a bright and beautiful home for us. We recorded this song (across telephones!) with Children’s Chapel leader MaryKate Cunningham last April – almost exactly one year ago.

Tomorrow is Earth Day. God’s earth is so beautiful, and we can sing to celebrate it. For the Beauty of the Earth has multiple tunes. This is the Dix tune, which is meant to be sung joyfully and in thanksgiving.

Jesus appeared to his disciples and they had SO. MANY. QUESTIONS. But Jesus had already answered them. He had already told his friends what mattered. The disciples wanted to keep knocking on the door but Jesus’ heart had already opened. It had shown them the truest Love.

Daniel, Emma and Laura Jane tell the story of Jesus eating fish with his disciples. Think how surprised Jesus’ friends were to see him! The world must have looked very different to them after they saw Jesus. How can you look at the world differently? How can you see things in a new way?

We were planting trees this week. What were you planting? Flowers? Hope? Love? Even if it takes a long time to grow, now is the time to start digging!

A lot of grown-ups are getting vaccinated. Some kids are going back to in-person learning. We can start to imagine meeting at church in person again. But this video from June 2020 is a reminder that meeting in the air is not all bad!

This past Sunday, we learned about “Doubting” Thomas. He needed to ask the Risen Jesus who he was. This Sunday, Jesus will ask the disciples questions. “Why are you frightened?” “Why do doubts arise in your hearts?” “Do you have anything to eat?” Here’s a song about a question. It’s by the band Bombadil.